SF Giants Bullpen Picture Still Murky, but Spring Competition Could Bring Clarity
The San Francisco Giants know they’ve got work to do in the bullpen. After a rocky finish to last season, the relief corps was a clear weak spot-and so far, the front office hasn’t made any splashy moves to overhaul it. But Buster Posey made one thing clear in a recent radio appearance: the bullpen roles are wide open, and spring training is going to be a proving ground.
Speaking on KNBR’s Murph and Markus Show, Posey didn’t mince words when asked if there were any defined bullpen roles heading into camp. His response?
“All options are on the table.” That’s not just a diplomatic answer-it’s a window into how the Giants plan to approach one of their biggest roster questions.
Posey acknowledged what every front office in baseball wrestles with: bullpen volatility. Relievers are notoriously unpredictable from year to year.
A guy who posts a sub-3.00 ERA one season can struggle to stay on the roster the next. That’s why locking in long-term bullpen roles-or investing heavily in relief arms-can be a gamble.
But it’s also why competition in camp matters. Every year, someone seemingly comes out of nowhere to become a reliable arm.
The Giants are hoping that happens again in 2026.
So far, the Giants’ approach has been more about depth than star power. They brought in Sam Hentges and Jason Foley on one-year deals-moves that add experience but don’t necessarily shake up the hierarchy.
Gregory Santos and Michael Fulmer were added on non-roster deals, giving the club a couple of intriguing wild cards. Both have shown they can get big-league hitters out, but both also come with injury histories that make them far from sure things.
Posey also name-dropped two familiar names: Ryan Walker and Joel Peguero. Walker is looking to bounce back after a down year in 2025, but let’s not forget how dominant he was in 2024.
If he can rediscover that form, he could be a stabilizing force late in games. Peguero, meanwhile, brings electric stuff-his fastball can light up the radar gun-but he’s still green, with just 22.1 big-league innings under his belt.
Posey praised his progress and development, and it’s clear the Giants see potential there.
Don’t be surprised if Walker and Peguero are both in the mix for the closer role this spring. Right now, Walker probably has the inside track thanks to his experience, but nothing’s set in stone.
One pitcher who does seem to have a defined role is Erik Miller. He’s expected to be the go-to lefty in leverage situations, especially against tough left-handed hitters.
Beyond that, though, the bullpen is full of question marks. The problem isn’t a lack of arms-it’s a lack of clear leverage options.
The Giants have plenty of middle relievers, but not enough guys you trust with the game on the line in the seventh, eighth, or ninth.
That’s why this spring matters. The bullpen that starts the season likely won’t be the one that finishes it, but how these pitchers perform in Scottsdale will go a long way in shaping the early-season pecking order. The Giants are betting that internal competition-and maybe a breakout or two-will help solidify a group that needs to be better if they want to contend in 2026.
It’s not the flashiest approach, but in a world where bullpen success can be as much about timing and opportunity as talent, it just might work.
